Present Perfect Simple

Past Simple

Unfinished actions that started in the

past and continue to the present:

Finished actions:

I've known Julie for ten years

moved away and we lost touch).

(and I still know her).

A finished action in someone's life

(when the person is still alive: life
experience):

My brother has been to Mexico

A finished action in someone's life (when the

person is dead):

I've lost my keys! (The result is

A finished action with no result in the present:

I've seen John this week.

I lost my keys yesterday. It was terrible!

(Now there is no result. I got new keys
yesterday).

that I can't get into my house

now).

With an unfinished time word (this

week, this month, today):

My great-grandmother went to Mexico three

times.

three times

A finished action with a result in the

present:

I knew Julie for ten years (but then she

With a finished time word (last week, last month,

yesterday):

I saw John last week.